Book of Titus

Summary of the Book of Titus

This summary of the book of Titus provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Titus.

Author

The
author is Paul (see 1:1 and note; see also Introduction to 1 Timothy: Author).

Recipient

The
letter is addressed to Titus, one of Paul's converts (see 1:4 and note) and
a considerable help to Paul in his ministry. When Paul left Antioch to discuss
the gospel with the Jerusalem leaders, he took Titus with him (Gal 2:1-3);
acceptance of Titus (a Gentile) as a Christian without circumcision vindicated
Paul's stand there (Gal 2:3-5). Presumably Titus, who is not referred to in
Acts (but is mentioned 13 times in the rest of the NT), worked with Paul at
Ephesus during his third missionary journey (see map, p. 1724). It is likely
that he was the bearer of Paul's severe letter to the Corinthian church (see
Introduction to 2 Corinthians: Occasion). Paul was concerned about the possible
negative reaction of the Corinthian church to his severe letter, so he arranged
to meet Titus at Troas (2Co 2:12-13). When Titus did not appear, Paul traveled
on to Macedonia. There he met Titus and with great relief heard the good news
that the worst of the trouble was over at Corinth (2Co 7:6-7,13-14). Titus,
accompanied by two Christian brothers, was the bearer of 2 Corinthians (2Co
8:23) and was given the responsibility for making final arrangements for the
collection, begun a year earlier, in Corinth (see 2Co 8:6,16-17 and notes).

Following Paul's release from his first Roman imprisonment (Ac 28), he and
Titus worked briefly in Crete (1:5), after which he commissioned Titus to remain
there as his representative and complete some needed work (1:5; 2:15; 3:12-13).
Paul asked Titus to meet him at Nicopolis (see map, p. 2487) when a replacement
arrived (see 3:12 and note). Later, Titus went on a mission to Dalmatia (see
2Ti 4:10 and note), the last word we hear about him in the NT. Considering
the assignments given him, he obviously was a capable and resourceful leader.

Crete

The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete lies directly south
of the Aegean Sea (see map and inset, p. 2308; cf. note on 1Sa 30:14; cf. also
Paul's experiences there in Ac 27:7-13). In NT times life in Crete had sunk
to a deplorable moral level. The dishonesty, gluttony and laziness of its inhabitants
were proverbial (1:12).

Occasion and Purpose

Apparently Paul introduced Christianity in Crete when he and Titus visited
the island, after which he left Titus there to organize the converts. Paul
sent the letter with Zenas and Apollos, who were on a journey that took them
through Crete (3:13), to give Titus personal authorization and guidance in
meeting opposition (1:5; 2:1,7-8,15; 3:9), instructions about faith and conduct,
and warnings about false teachers. Paul also informed Titus of his future plans
for him (3:12).

Place and Date of Writing

Paul possibly wrote from Macedonia, for he had not yet reached Nicopolis
(see 3:12). The letter was written after he was released from his first Roman
imprisonment (Ac 28), probably between a.d. 63 and 65 -- or
possibly at a later date if he wrote after his assumed trip to Spain.

Distinctive Characteristics

Especially significant, considering the nature of the Cretan heresy, are
the repeated emphases on loving and doing and teaching "what is good" (1:8,16; 2:3,7,14; 3:1,8,14) and the classic summaries of Christian doctrine (2:11-14; 3:4-7).